Expert questioned payments to police

Jenny Marra wants answers on the payments made by the SPATIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES GLOSSOP

A financial expert at Scotland’s police watchdog raised concerns about payments made to senior figures, an employment tribunal is to be told.

Amy McDonald raised her concerns as director of financial accountability at the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). She claims that she was frozen out after bringing the potential misuse of public funds to the attention of SPA leaders.

Her lawyer told the BBC that the tribunal would determine whether she had been penalised after making her allegations. The payments disclosed by Ms McDonald include thousands of pounds paid to a senior officer. There is no suggestion that the officer acted improperly in receiving the money.

The SPA oversees Police Scotland and helps set the single force’s annual £1 billion budget. The watchdog said that…